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Lightning attachment to wind turbines in central Kansas: Video observations, correlation with the nldn and in-situ peak current measurements

  • Nicholas Wilson
  • , Jackson Myers
  • , Kenneth Cummins
  • , Matt Hutchinson
  • , Amitabh Nag

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Abstract

    The behavior and effects of lightning to wind turbines were studied during a 3-month field campaign in north-central Kansas, USA in summer 2012. Auto-trigger cameras were deployed around the wind farm and current measurement devices installed to the root of the turbine blades. Thunderstorms were monitored using the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) data and electric field mills (EFMs) installed on-site at the wind farm. During the field campaign seven (7) lightning strikes to wind turbines were captured by the video cameras with two (2) causing damage. An eighth lightning strike off-camera but detected by the NLDN caused blade damage too. All observed wind turbine lightning attachments were to the blades. Analysis of the cloud-to-ground lightning data indicates that wind turbines with rotating blade tip heights of 125 m have a larger attractive radius (276 m) than is expected for stationary towers of similar height, and an equivalent attractive radius to a nearby 231 m radio tower. There was no correlation evident between NLDN peak currents, blade currents, and damage.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Title of host publicationEuropean Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition, EWEC 2013
    PublisherEuropean Wind Energy Association
    Pages284-291
    Number of pages8
    ISBN (Print)9781632663146
    StatePublished - 2013
    EventEuropean Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition, EWEC 2013 - Vienna, Austria
    Duration: Feb 4 2013Feb 7 2013

    Publication series

    NameEuropean Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition, EWEC 2013
    Volume1

    Conference

    ConferenceEuropean Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition, EWEC 2013
    Country/TerritoryAustria
    CityVienna
    Period2/4/132/7/13

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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